Similar to most developed countries, obesity rates inRussiahave
been steadily increasing. This has led to a high burden of obesity related
diseases and associated healthcare costs. The micro-simulation model has been
utilized to project body mass index (BMI) and BMI related disease burden and
healthcare costs. Incidence, mortality, survival and healthcare costs were
collected for thirteen diseases. The results have been simulated for 3
hypothetical scenarios to project a potential impact of policy interventions: 1)
assuming no reduction in BMI; 2) 1% reduction in mean BMI across the
population; 3) 5% reduction in mean BMI across the population. Nearly 58% of the female population was obese
(BMI ≥30 kg/m2) or overweight
(BMI 25 -29.9 kg/m2) in 2010,
and the prevalence is projected to decrease to 54% in 2050. The rates are predicted
to increase for men from 51% in 2010 to 76% in 2050. The prevalence rates will
triple for some obesity-related diseases. A one percent decrease in BMI across
the population will save more than two billion US Dollars in 2030 and 2050. Despite
female obesity prevalence starting at a higher point than the men, obesity is
predicted to increase in males but not females. Disease and economic burden
attributed to these obesity rates are still severe and the country should implement
strong policies to tackle the obesity epidemic.

The World Bank (2005) Dying too young; addressing premature mortality and ill health due to non-communicable diseases and injuries in the Russian Federation. Europe and Central Asia Human Development Department, 1-31.

The govern-mental order of the Russian Federation (2011) About structure of the territories forming each hour zone, and the order of cal-culation of time in hour zones.
http://www.garant.ru/hotlaw/federal/346568/

Russia Longitudinal Monitoring Survey, RLMS-HSE (2011) Conducted by HSE and ZAO “Demoscope” together with Carolina Population Center, University of North Carolina and Chapel Hill and the Institute of Sociology RAS. http://www.hse.ru/org/hse/rlms

Wang, Y., Monteiro, C. and Popkin, B.M. (2002) Trends of obesity and underweight in older children and adolescents in the United States, Brazil, China and Russia. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 75, 971-977.